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— 170 —
Hotaru kōte
Shiba shi-go mai ni
Fuzei kana!
Having bought fireflies, respectfully accord them the favour of four or five tufts of lawn-grass!
Song of the Firefly-Seller
Futatsu mitsu
Hanashite miseru
Hotaru-uri.
Mitsu yotsu wa
Akari ni nokose
Hotaru-uri.
Yami ni kaerti ya
Hotaru-uri.
He will not give you the chance to see two or three fireflies set free,—this firefly-seller.
He leaves in the cage three or four, just to make a light,—this firefly-seller.
For now he must take his own body back into the dark night,—this firefly-seller.
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